The NBA's hopes of starting a new independent league in Europe by the end of 2027 are on schedule, commissioner Adam Silver said before the start of the NBA Finals.
That plan - a joint effort involving the NBA and FIBA, the sport's global governing body - has been in the works for years, but is nearing a launch at a particularly exciting time for the game in Europe with the burgeoning superstardom of San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama.
The Defensive Player of the Year has led the Spurs to the finals this season, and even 2.30am start times for games in his native France aren't deterring plans for watch parties and other gatherings to celebrate Wembanyama's first appearance in the NBA's championship series.
"We are very much on schedule," Silver said ahead of the first final in San Antonio on Wednesday night (local time).
"It is our hope and anticipation that that league will launch in the '27-28 season in Europe.
"We are on track. Final bids from franchises are due at ... the end of the month in June.
"We've seen record interest and we're very excited."
Wembanyama is going home to France next season, with the Spurs set to play two regular-season games against the New Orleans Pelicans, first in Paris on January 14 and then in Manchester, England, on January 17.
Paris and Manchester are among cities expected to be part of the planned league in Europe.
Wembanyama and the Spurs played two games in Paris in January 2025, with tickets for those match-ups against the Indiana Pacers snapped up quickly.
The NBA's interest in expanding to Europe goes back long before Wembanyama's arrival, but his rise to stardom has sparked additional interest in the NBA in that part of the world.
"Presumably, we will be in position in the fall to award franchises," Silver said.
Among other topics Silver discussed in his annual pre-finals news conference, he said discussions were continuing over possible domestic expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas.
"It's not a foregone conclusion that we will expand ... but what we've told all interested parties is our board will make a decision by the end of this calendar year," Silver said.
